Where was Broadway in the 2010 Tony Awards?

As I watched the 2010 Tony Awards on CBS, I realized how Hollywood-ized the New York theatre scene has become. While many professional theatre actors cross over into the realms of television and film, (Let’s face it, we are hungry for work and take what we can get), more and more motion picture celebrities are taking the stage for the first time. Maybe this has something to do with the economy, as Americans are turning to digital downloads and rental services as movie ticket prices climb to cover big budget films and dwindling box office numbers.

While I enjoy watching actors return to their theatre roots after starting an accomplished career on the Silver Screen (Thank God for Hugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz!), in contrast, I detest watching big name celebrities attempt to break behind the Broadway curtain and fail miserably (Julia Roberts in Three Days of Rain anyone? Read the review.). The truth is stage and film are two entirely different beasts and very few actors have the talent and training to make the transition.

For many of the major acting awards, the Tonys this year opened the door to Hollywood, essentially ostracizing the lesser known, but highly acclaimed, traditionally theatrical nominees.

Fences brought home three major awards, beginning with Best Revival of a Play. Denzel Washington was awarded Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play as Troy Maxon. My best advice for Mr. Washington –when you are nominated for an award, please research its history and avoid making puzzling coments during your acceptance speech, like this one; “I’ve been awarded by the Tony Award—what do you call yourselves? The Tony Committee.” What did you mean by that Mr. Washington? Thank goodness for your co-star, Viola Davis who spoke gracefully when accepting her award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play.

Academy Award-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones took the prize for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for A Little Night Music. After tripping on her ball-gown on her way to the podium, Zeta-Jones caused controversy during her acceptance speech by pointing to husband Michael Douglas and saying: “See that man there? He’s a movie star and I get to sleep with him every night.” Very classy Catherine! Thanks for continuing the awkwardness of the night, which we all hoped would end with host Sean Hayes lip locking Kristin Chenoweth. I appreciate the statement that was trying to be made (yes, gay actors are more than capable of playing it straight if audiences leave their prejudices and expectations in the theatre lobby), but some things are better to be left alone. Newsweek, we were all disappointed when you called Sean Hayes unconvincing as Chuck Baxter in Promises, Promises, but let’s take the high road on this one.

Hollywood starlet - no pun intended- Scarlett Johansson took home the win for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in A View From the Bridge. Scarlett Johansson thanked her husband Ryan Reynolds for “being a theater widower” for her in her acceptance speech. I am not a big fan of Johansson, except for the occasional Woody Allen film (which I probably like more for Allen’s writing/directing then Johansson’s acting), so I was a little miffed when she won this award over the likes of Rosemary Harris.

The night’s biggest winner was the Mark Rothko homage Red, which took home six awards including Best Play. Memphis, featuring music by Bon Jovi’s David Bryan, won Best Musical.

Glee star, Lea Michele, showed up in true Hollywood style to belt out “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” Granted, her performance was brilliant, but for those of us who watch Glee, it was just a less-campy rerun of her performance of the same song on the series and predictable. Perhaps there should be a revival of Funny Girl. I think she is hoping her character on Glee graduates early so she can grace the Broadway stage. At least she sang in the traditional Broadway style, rather than the Pop and Rock remakes, which seemed to be the staple of the night.

For those of you who watching the True Blood season 3 premier, or game 5 of the NBA finals instead, here is a recap of the main categories:

Best Play- Red

Best Musical- Memphis

Best Book of a Musical- Memphis

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre- Memphis

Best Revival of a Play- Fences

Best Revival of a Musical- La Cage aux Folles

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play- Denzel Washington, Fences

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play- Viola Davis, Fences

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical- Douglas Hodge, La Cage aux Folles

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical- Catherine Zeta-Jones, A Little Night Music

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play- Eddie Redmayne, Red

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play- Scarlett Johansson, A View from the Bridge

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical- Levi Kreis, Million Dollar Quartet

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical- Katie Finneran, Promises, Promises

Best Direction of a Play- Michael Grandage, Red

Best Direction of a Musical- Terry Johnson, La Cage aux Folles

Best Choreography- Bill T. Jones, Fela!